Dash color change!

[DoubleMonk]

I messed around with the cluster in my Sidekick once when I had to stick the speed needle back on. I had some colored gels from stage production. I just played around and place some on over the existing bulbs. I ended up with gradient of sunset orange. It was a lot more pleasing to the eye than green.

So for those Incandescent bulbs you can try colored gels.

After seeing how sunset colors are so pleasing my Deli is gonna make the switch.

[psilosin]

Lost all lighting to the heater/AC controls so guess what I just ordered... This post made ordering LEDs pain free.

Ordered all the bulbs in cool white with a few green/blue/amber/UV for various spots. My wifes Matrix has an all red dash and it frys my brain. I was thinking all blue but wimped out.

[CREGAN]

Lost all lighting to the heater/AC controls so guess what I just ordered... This post made ordering LEDs pain free.

Ordered all the bulbs in cool white with a few green/blue/amber/UV for various spots. My wifes Matrix has an all red dash and it frys my brain. I was thinking all blue but wimped out.

My wife has all blue in her Santa Fe and it is the same thing - it burns my eyes out. Even on the lowest dimmer setting it still bothers me. I can't handle a lot of light while driving at night.

Craig

[legionnair]

I have heard that toyota did a study and orange was the best at not affecting your night vision. But i do like red or purple

[trecar]

i have done all my interior lights to LED, and have ordered my dash lights (i am going with blue). Will post pics when i can.

Trevor

[Mr. Pistachio]

I'll have to check on my bills by keep you posted

[CREGAN]

i have done all my interior lights to LED, and have ordered my dash lights (i am going with blue). Will post pics when i can.

Trevor

Trevor - I am missing a lot of my interior lights, what type and where did you get them. I assume you are talking about the overhead light in the very back, over the front mirror, in the sliding door footwell, etc. Thanks

Craig

[FalcoColumbarius]

If your talking about the dome lamps then I believe they are festoon bulbs and I think they are the same for both the L300 & L400 wagons, in which case pop the cover off and take one with you down to Cdn Tire, or Napa, or Lordco...



Falco.

[trecar]

Hey Craig

I will email you the specs and pics

[CREGAN]

Sweet - Thanks Trev

[psilosin]

So my LEDs showed up and I have so far been installing the NEO4 wedges into the heater control...and its looking like a big fail.

The NEO4 wedges light up fine but it looks like they project all their light forward. The problem is the light tube in the panel faceplate gets 0% of its light from the front, all of it needs to come from the sides. The result once the panel faceplate is back on nothing is illuminated as if there was still 3 dead bulbs in there.

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IMG_4970.JPG

Did you add some kind of reflector to the light tube? Or is there a big variety in how NEO4 wedges are made and I got lucky and ordered the bullshit ones? (Got mine from Superbrightleds.com)

[mararmeisto]

So my LEDs showed up and I have so far been installing the NEO4 wedges into the heater control...and its looking like a big fail.

The NEO4 wedges light up fine but it looks like they project all their light forward...

...Did you add some kind of reflector to the light tube? Or is there a big variety in how NEO4 wedges are made and I got lucky and ordered the bullshit ones? (Got mine from Superbrightleds.com)

You need to order the kind of LED that projects the light out the side of the lens, not out the end. When looking at the end of it, it should have a relatively flat end (instead of a lens) and from the side you should be able to see an inverse cone (this is what deflects the light out the side). I forget what they are properly called, but look for something called "dash mount" or "dashboard" in the name - that should be it.

[psilosin]

[quote="mararmeisto]You need to order the kind of LED that projects the light out the side of the lens, not out the end. When looking at the end of it, it should have a relatively flat end (instead of a lens) and from the side you should be able to see an inverse cone (this is what deflects the light out the side). I forget what they are properly called, but look for something called "dash mount" or "dashboard" in the name - that should be it.[/quote]

Thats what I was guessing must be the case. Superbrightleds.com only had two options of 4mm Neo Wedges...high power or normal (I got high power). Both were termed for instrument cluster and both indicated a 100 to 120o pattern. I guess it would have been good to know in advance that 180o was needed.

Not paying another $35 for shipping a $2 led so hopefully CdnTire or Lordco just has some regular old incandescent bulbs in stock...

[psilosin]

Problem solved.

Ended up fashioning some reflectors out of extra diamonds from my laser cannon or was it aluminium foil duct tape...one of the two I can't remember which. Also coated the outer surfaces of the light tube with the foil tape for that 70's sexy scifi look in hopes of concentating the beam.

Now my heater controls light up blue. Yay!

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Edit: Image added.

[CREGAN]

Looks Great! Well done on the tape mod as well. Is that the factory stereo? Does it actually work over here?

Craig